Like humans, horse temperaments can fluctuate between curious, brave, timid, and easily frightened. As horse owners, it is our responsibility to help our horses tackle new experiences with confidence. A dear friend’s horse was the obvious high-point winner at a well-recognized dressage event until the horse spooked when a spectator opened her parasol. Another friend landed on the ground when her horse reacted to a bicyclist rounding a bend. In each case, a little confidence training might have prevented these mishaps.
While we cannot rehearse every scenario beforehand, we can build up our horse’s confidence so that it is more apt to take the unexpected in stride. To do this, we must slowly challenge their sight, hearing, smell, and tactile senses while insuring that the horse is never afraid. When a horse attempts to perform an activity, even though it is not perfect, we say “Nice” and reward the horse with a small bit of apple or other delicacy. Rewarding the horse encourages him to tackle other obstacles. We can never force our horses to engage in a fearful activity or they will attach our unpleasantness to the object they are afraid of and become even more frightened. Make confidence-building activities fun for both of you! You want your horse to learn that as long as he is with you he has nothing to fear.
For example, we can build their visual confidence by attaching flags, streamers, plastic hula-skirts, and umbrellas around our horse’s living and riding area; and change them out regularly. Once a horse is comfortable with these items, we can walk figure eights near the horse so that the objects move closer and then further away from him. Eventually, we can stand next to the horse and later ride him while waving the objects. Whenever we enter an arena we walk the circumference with our horse to make sure he is comfortable with everything.
We teach horses to follow, instead of run away from, things that move. We encourage them to follow a bicyclist, or someone pushing a wheel-barrel. We teach horses to nose or kick an exercise ball around the arena. During all these activities we reward our horses for their bravery. Teach yourself (and your horse) to play polo with a mallet made from a swimming noodle, and a large beach ball. Be sure not to hit your horse!
Many horses are nervous about things overhead. If this is your horse’s problem, you can hang flags, streamers and helium balloons or fly kites in his presence. When he is comfortable, you can ask him to walk under them and reward him for his accomplishment. Enlist a friend to play catch with you with a soft, foam ball perhaps twenty-feet away from your horse. When your horse is relaxed, move your game gradually closer until you can play catch over his head. Again, the idea is not to scare your horse, but to build his confidence.
Some horses are apprehensive about sudden noises. Those horses can benefit from becoming familiar with the sounds of New Year’s Eve noisemakers, voices on a radio, the pop of a cap-gun, the snake-like sound of a spray-bottle, roar of a chain-saw or weed-whacker, racking leaves, or bells tinkling in the wind. Because loud noises can cause pain, be sure that the sounds are not made near the horse’s ears.
For horses that are afraid of strange things touching them, start out by saying “Nice” and giving a small food reward whenever they “Touch” a strange object. Before long a horse will allow his body to be touched with new items such as umbrellas, flags, blankets, tarps, swimming noodles, and saddlery.
Most horses are simply not exposed to a variety of sensory stimuli. Has your horse ever been walked or ridden around the property where he lives? That is a great way to introduce him to new sights and sounds. Make sure that there is nothing that will hurt him and that the gate is shut so that he cannot bolt off the property. Walk with him while he snoops about. He will love it!
Obstacle courses are easy to build and great confidence-builders. Ask the owner of your barn if a small area can be set aside for one. Lay out a small tarp and a thick sheet of plywood for your horse to walk across. Tape swimming noodles to two jump standards or two lengths of PVC pipe stuck into Christmas tree stands for your horse to walk between. Make a shallow frame of four lengths of wood 2”x4”x4’. Fill the frame with empty water bottles for horses to walk through. Run 7’ long PVC pipes through the tops of a series of heavy traffic cones so that you can ride your horse in and out of the poles. You can increase the challenge by taping plastic flags or streamers to the top of the poles. Be sure to introduce your horse to obstacle courses by walking them through each obstacle on the ground so that they comfortable with them BEFORE you ride the course.
Local horse shows can provide a world of strange sights, smells, and sounds. Seldom does one need to be a contestant to drive one’s horse trailer to the parking lot. Perhaps, at first, your horse will just observe from the inside of the trailer. If he is calm, you can unload him and walk around. Eventually, your horse will have the confidence to be ridden among the commotion of other riders, horses, and spectators. Just take it easy and do not overwhelm your horse.
You can use the same method to prepare your horse for trail-riding. Take your horse to the trail-head where other riders are coming and going with their horse-trailers. Bring a lunch and just sit with your horse and watch the action. As your horse gains confidence that he can handle the surroundings, the two of you can stroll down the trail a little ways.
When you are fully confident in yourself and each other, you will be prepared for almost anything.
By Chris Forté
For more ideas on confidence-building:
As for me, one of the main factors is the confidence coming from the owner. If you are strong in spirit, confident, domineering, the horse feels it and follows you. Otherwise, the owner is nervous, the horse is stressed. This is especially evident when loading into a trailer. So my advice is to develop your confidence first!
Hi Anna, Thanks for your comment. I like your “strong in spirit, confident” but “domineering”, in a negative sense (which I imagine you don’t intend) is an attribute that can accidentally create anxiety in the horse. I prefer to think of the confidence of a mother, a teacher, or a leader; confidence that engenders trust and calmness in the horse.
Yes, it is really important to train the horse’s confidence. But do not forget if the trainer himself is unsure, the horse will feel it and resist. Previously, due to inexperience, I had difficulties loading into the trailer, but when I was corrected by more experienced trainers, I realized my mistake. If I’m worried about this process, then why did my horse have to obey me?!
Stephan, thank you for your thought provoking comment. You brought up an extremely important issue – the rider’s confidence level. I often write about building the horse’s confidence and by performing the exercises I introduce, over time, a trusting relationship grows between horse and rider, but I have failed to address the rider’s lack of confidence head on. I will turn my attention to that issue. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!